The Eastern Conference looks a lot stronger than it did a year ago. So where do the Pistons, who had the best record in the conference last season, currently stack up against their peers? Patterson believes the team’s growth hinges on the continued development of defensive stalwart Ausar Thompson. If Thompson can score around 15 points per game and initiate offense more consistently without compromising his defensive impact, that would raise Detroit’s ceiling. Here’s more from the Central Division: